How far was the Russo Japanese War responsible for the outbreak of the 1905 Revolution? The Russo Japanese war of 1904 was a factor contributing to the outbreak of the 1905 revolution, however it is not completely true to say that it was entirely responsible. In Russia at this time and before, there was a lot of tension. The population of Russia were very unhappy with a number of things, for example: no land, pollution, no money etc. This caused a lot of distress amongst Russia’s population as well as depression.
Trotsky described war as the ‘locomotive of history’. How far can it be argued that change in Russia in the period 1855-1964 was caused only by involvement in wars? During this period the biggest change that happened was the move from Tsarist autocracy to communist dictatorship as well as the short lived provisional government, which was a form of democracy. Furthermore there were changes to economic policy, which had a great impact on society. The wars that occurred did bring change but were not the only causes of change.
To what extent does the First World War explain the outbreak of two revolutions in 1917? 27/10/2011 22:10 To a certain extent, the First World War was a major contributing factor to the two revolutions that took place in 1917. The war worsened the issues that already existed in Russia and also highlighted the incompetence of the Tsar and the Provisional Government both as competent rulers and, in the case of the Tsar, a military commander. However, World War One was not the only reason that the revolutions took place; Russia was already undergoing social, political and economical problems that largely contributed to the fall of the Tsar and later the Provisional Government. The war was a large mistake for the Tsar.
This was demonstrated when he assumed that him taking personal control of the army during the First World War would unite the nation. There as now not only a distinct separation between the upper and lower classes but also a critical separation between the upper classes and the Tsar. Added pressures came from Russia’s increased involvement in the war in that it exposed the Tsar’s policies given the gravity of the domestic situation and his absence from Petrograd (St Petersburg). The Tsar’s rapid loss of support during the war allowed the Tsarina, who was heavily influenced by Rasputin, to gain control of internal politics. She disillusioned the middle and ruling class intelligentsia which further isolated the Tsar and
To what extent was the lack of political representation the most significant cause of the 1905 revolution? There were a number of different causes that contributed to the start of the 1905 Russian revolution however some were more significant than others. One of the contributing factors was the lack of political representation due to the existence of an autocratic regime. Whilst this was an important factor, the most significant factors were the social and economical issues that caused unrest amongst the Russian population. The long-term policies of Russification imposed by the Tsar in the 1880s, caused a lot of political unrest within Russia and these contributed to the 1905 revolution.
The Americans and the West felt threatened by the Russian and Communist Revolution because they feared Communism would spread to them. The revolution in Russia had been chaotic, and it taking foot in the USA would have been horrific. Communism had previously been a frightening theory, but now it had become a sudden reality. World War I was still taking place at this time, and it was 1917 that America reluctantly entered the European War. Wartime hysteria was likely to transform into post-war hysteria, which it did, this period becoming known as the Red Scare.
‘How did the crisis of World War I help create a revolutionary situation in Russia?’ Although there were many other solutions that did not involve war after August 1914 to the governments of Austro-Hungary, Russia, Germany and finally, Great Britain war was the resolution that they consciously chose. Each of these countries enjoyed a heightened sense of patriotism none so much as Russia who’s hapless Tsar had seen better times as an autocratic monarch. However it did not all go to plan for Nicholas II; the war was a disaster for Russia. It caused massive inflation, plunged the country into a famine and ultimately cost the lives of nearly 5 million Russian soldiers and civilians as well as a series of military defeats, which as we learnt from the Russo-Japanese war, created conditions suited to Revolution. The demoralisation of the proud Russian peoples created dissent, and discredited the Tsar.
Czar Nicholas II saw the possibility of diverting Russian discontent with a “successful war”, and so in February, 1904, Nicholas decided to go to war with Japan. The war was a disaster for the Czar – the Russian army was ill-equipped, poorly armed, and unskilfully trained; the transportation system throughout Russia collapsed and bread prices soared, thus destroying the confidence in the government. Basically, government corruption and inefficiency was exposed during the war and as the war continued, discontent among the people increased dramatically and they lost faith in their
Both soldiers and civilians blame the defeats in the war and the growing crises on the home front on Tsar. Even the Tsars only army stated it wouldn’t support him if a revolution occurred. Explain the importance/significance of World War 1 to the downfall of the Tsar WWI was a very significant event on the rule of Tsar Nicholas 11. Although it initially bolstered his position, it then became a large factor that contributed to Nicholas’ downfall. The Country was ecstatic when the Tsar made the announcement that Russia was going to fight against Germany in WWI.
It is without a doubt that the great war was a major factor for the outbreak of the February revolution in 1917, however many other factors have to be taken into consideration when dealing with a complex issue such as this. Issues such as the decisions made by Tsar Nicholas II whilst in power, the lack of political reform since the October manifesto was issued in 1905, the socio-economic position of the proletariat which was ever worsening and the fact that this revolution was much more organized than the 1905 revolution all contributed to the outbreak of the February revolution. When Russia mobilised against Germany on its western front, families were to each send a male who was capable of fighting to conscript in the Russian military. The Russian military at the time was poorly trained and equipped compared to that of Germany. Russian train infrastructure was relatively new and underdeveloped, when war broke out the rail lines were used to transport troops and supplies for war, food shortages in cities were afflicting the masses, this caused discontent at home.